Judges’ comments

It was an honour and great pleasure to be invited to judge. It was a wonderful day - the Welsh really know how to organise such an event. Their hospitality was superb, it really was a day to remember.

My co-judge and friend, Annette Oliver, and myself had some superb puppies and adults to examine. The overall quality of the dogs and puppies was excellent. However, we had to make our choices - many of which were not easy.

From the puppies, our final two were the Bichon Frise bitch Vanitonia Takin’ Back My Love at Louisianna, that I had put through. The Whippet bitch which came through from Annette was Turnstone Khameleon of Koppelwell. These youngsters were outstanding, both Annette and myself would have happily made both of them Top Puppy, but unfortunately we had to make a decision which went to the Whippet.

The final two for the Top Dog were the Tervueren, Ch Cairbar That Special Touch SHCM, put through by myself and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog Ch Charibere Solar Spirit at Chezanna JW SHCM by Annette. Two excellent dogs, both well worthy of this final placing. After much discussion between ourselves our final decision was the Tervueren.

My thanks go to all the exhibitors who accepted our decisions in such a sporting manner and a very special thank you to our hosts for their outstanding hospitality.

Thank you all for a fabulous day.

Meg Purnell-Carpenter

From the moment of my arrival after a long a foggy journey to Wales on Friday afternoon I was immediately welcomed with a pot of tea and a chat with members of the organising committee. This was to set the trend for the rest of the evening and the next day’s Welsh Kennel Club Top Puppy and Top Dog Competition. Mervyn, Pat and Bethan Evans supported by Ifor Williams, Tegwyn Jones and Stan Roberts and the various ladies of the committee, have everything planned to the last. Members of the WKC attend but this event is down to the sub-committee. Beautiful rose buttonholes were supplied by Chairman Denys Simpson, in lovely colours.

The room in the Commodore hotel was transformed before my eyes with green carpeting, white fencing, flowers, Welsh flags etc and the banners of the sponsors. The qualifying dogs draw their numbers out of the hat to decide who they are paired with on a match basis and Meg and I then drew envelopes to decide who would judge which half first. The standard of competition was very high in the Puppies and the Adults. Sometimes it was infuriating because two you really liked came up against one another. The audience were so enthusiastic and supportive applauding each of the round winners. The overall Puppy winner was a lovely young whippet bitch named Turnstone Khameleon of Koppelwell built on classic lines, of lovely size, forceful driving action yet elegant on the move. Beautiful in head, neck and shoulders, soft rose ears, dark eyes and super expression. Straight front, good feet, just right for depth of chest and width, well angulated. Was just lovely stacked and moving. Has a lovely shining velvet jacket. Giving a really good performance all the way through was the Bracco Italiano puppy Gunstrux Peppermint Patty.
Opposition from the other half of the puppies was a beautiful Bichon Frise Vanitonia Takin Back My Love At Louisianna, groomed to perfection and with the blackest pigment, showing a clean pair of heels on the move. Dainty and feminine all through and she was chosen by us as Runner up to the whippet.

When the puppies had finished there was a break for lunch and time to have a little respite before changing into evening wear and a bit of glitz for the Adult competition. The quality of the dogs never failed in this section either, I loved the Labrador Sh Ch Brockburrow Cassanova in Linjor JW ShCM who works too I understand. I had my eye on the Tervuren put through by Meg before I went into the ring and then I had the joy of handling a superb Pyrenean Mountain Dog male who just kept going despite the warmth of the room, he was a joy to handle. Lots of substance, beautiful head, fantastic construction all through and so very sound. So there we were with two more magnificent dogs the Tervueren as the Winner Ch Cairbar That Special Touch Sh Cm and the Runner up the Pyrenean Ch Charibere Solar Spirit at Chezanna JW SHCm.

After the presentations and photo call the room was transformed once again into a splendid dining room. Lots of little touches like lovely menus designed by the Evans ladies, the sweetie boxes, etc. Attention to detail was the theme all the way through the day. A really good meal followed, lots of laughs and conversations and a chance to let our hair down and have a little twirl to the good disco.

Despite all the dog stuff going on there was still time to have some raffles for various good causes like Children in Need and Help The Heroes.

A very big thank you then for the opportunity to judge and enjoy this super day and evening with some really smashing dogs . I can honestly say I appreciated the warmth of the Welsh welcome from organisers and exhibitors alike.

Annette Oliver